The resin (polymeric ligand) was prepared from 2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzophenone with 1,4-butane diol in the presence of polyphosphoric acid as a catalyst at 160 C for 9 h. The poly[(2-hydroxy-4-methoxy benzophenone) butylene] L ¼ H(HMBP-BD) form 1:2, ML 2 , complexes with M ¼ La(III), Pr(III), Nd(III), Sm(III), Gd(III), Tb(III), and Dy(III). The polymeric ligand and its polychelates were characterized by elemental analyses, electronic spectra, and magnetic susceptibilities, IR-spectroscopy, NMR, and thermogravimetric analyses. The number average molecular weight (Mn) of the resin was determined by Vapour Pressure Osmometry (VPO). All the polychelates are paramagnetic in nature. The resins and their polychelates were screened for their antimicrobial activity against E. coli, B. substilis, S. aureus (bacteria), and S. cerevisiae (yeast). It was found that the polychelates show good antimicrobial activity compared to the free polymeric ligand.